Joined Up Data for Better Decisions

Welcome to the website of the Scottish Informatics and Linkage Collaboration (SILC). This site aims to explain the purpose and structure of SILC, as well as highlighting the safeguards that exist around controlled use of data for research and statistical purposes.

Safe. Secure. Transparent.

The safe, secure and transparent use of publicly-held data for research and statistics has the potential to improve the quality of life for the people of Scotland through better informed policy and public service delivery. Innovative approaches to using data also allow for powerful statistical research to be undertaken, supporting scientific advancements and economic growth.

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Scottish Informatics and Linkage Collaboration

Continual improvements in legal and ethical governance arrangements around data and analytics activity across Scotland, in-line with increases in the technical capacity to securely and efficiently link statistical and administrative data, has led to the development of the Scottish Informatics and Linkage Collaboration (SILC).

SILC is the term for a number of supporting services and facilities, used by data linkage programmes such as the Farr Institute, Scotland and the Administrative Data Research Centre – Scotland (ADRC-S). SILC does not carry out its own research; rather external researchers access the facilities provided by SILC through one of the partners comprising the broader collaboration.